The three large mosaics on the gables of the façade were made in Venice in 1878. The large central mosaic, the Coronation of the Virgin, is the work of Luigi Mussini. The smaller mosaics on each side, Nativity of Jesus and Presentation of Mary in the Temple, were made by Alessandro Franchi. INDEX
A22. SCULPTURES EB EB
While most of the sculpture decorating the lower level of the lavish façade was sculpted by Giovanni Pisano and assistant, depicting prophets, philosophers and apostles, the more Gothic statuary adorning the upper portion—including the half-length statues of the patriarchs in the niches around the rose window – are works of later, unattributed, sculptors. Almost all the statuary adorning the cathedral today are copies. The originals are kept in the Crypt of the Statues in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.
A23. OUTER STATUES EB EB
The carving around the door arches has the same exquisite detail we noticed on the East face. There is so much work on display here ... .
A24. OFFSET COLUMNS WC
An interesting feature of the façade is that the corner columns of the central upper portion do not continue from the columns flanking the central portal as they normally would in such cathedrals. Instead, they are substantially offset, resulting in a vertical discontinuity which is uncommon in cathedrals of the time as it can lead to structural weakness. To adjust for this imbalance, the towers on each side of the cathedral were opened by adding windows, reducing the weight they needed to support. [Photo: Credit Dudva]
A25. CENTRAL DOOR GM
The bronze central door is a recent addition to the cathedral, replacing the original wooden one. The large door, known as the Porta della Riconoscenza, was commissioned in 1946 near the end of the German occupation of Siena.[8] Sculpted by Vico Consorti and cast by Enrico Manfrini, the scenes on the door represent the Glorification of the Virgin, Siena’s patron saint. The inlaid paving at the foot of the door gives a foretaste of the Cathedral floor inside. [Photo Credit: Martin Rakús]